CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that former Luther College wrestler Alec Bonander (Larchwood, Iowa/West Lyon) has been named the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2008-09 academic year.

"The two Duane Schroeder Scholar-Athletes for 2009 -- Wartburg's Kelsey Steffens and Luther's Alec Bonander -- made an impact on their campuses, in our Conference, and on the national scene," Iowa Conference Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen said. "The personal statements that accompanied their nominations cement the virtues of the Iowa Conference experience. Exhilarating. Sound mind and body. Challenging. Strive for excellence. These were among the words of a young woman and man who rose to the top for their school's nomination and, then, for the votes of the IIAC Faculty Athletic Representatives. I take great pride in all of our fine young people in the Iowa Conference, and today I am honored to recognize two of the very finest."

Bonander graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2009 with a 3.797 grade point average as a double major in management and accounting. An NCAA Postgraduate Scholar, Bonander was also a two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII selection and a two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American®, garnering Third Team honors in 2008 and Second Team honors in 2009. In addition, he was a three-time Iowa Conference All-Academic Team honoree and a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American. Bonander was also named to the Luther College Dean's List in each of his eight semesters. He is currently employed as an accountant at Deere & Company with plans on entering law school in Fall 2010.

"Alec enjoys learning and connecting knowledge and experiences," said Luther Professor of Accounting Ramona Nelson. "In the fall of 2008, as the economic downturn continued to develop, Alec asked questions about the current events, the impact on business, the political implications, and sought to understand the implications for accounting and financial reporting. This interest in synthesizing the many aspects of issues places Alec in the elite of his peer group. He is a good thinker.

"I appreciated his example of being a student-athlete," Nelson added. "He easily connected with all students rather than limiting himself to only athletes…The discipline, work ethic, goal setting, humility, and respect for people that Alec has displayed in wrestling were demonstrated in his academic efforts and his life beyond athletics. Those well-developed qualities will serve him well in graduate school and throughout his life. He is a terrific role model of what we hold as the ideal student-athlete."

Luther College Executive Director of Communication of Marketing and Associate Professor of Management Rob Larson, a Faculty Athletic Representative, added "He was always well prepared, he evidenced strong analytical and critical thinking skills, he has extremely strong oral and written communication skills, and he showed an interest and curiosity that allowed him to see the nuances of the topics beyond the basic aspects."

A member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics) honor society, Bonander also served as a team member of Luther Athletes Serving Others (LASO), was a team organizer for Relay for Life, a volunteer with both the local "Adopt-A-Highway" program and the Young Norse Wrestling Club, a phonathon captain in the Luther College Alumni Office, and a resident advisor. In addition, he served as a student leader for the Luther College Bike Share Program, where he assisted in the formulation of the program"s management development and sustainability model.

"He has a deep passion for learning more about the business marketplace and wants to better understand what drives economic issues. He talks often about his desire to learn how economic policies affect the world economy so in the future he is better able to help formulate the global financial picture," said Luther head wrestling coach Dave Mitchell. "Alec's discipline and energy were keys in balancing the rigors that accompany high-level professional development with high-level wrestling. [His] accomplishments as an athlete, a scholar, and as a leader in the broader Luther College community provide an outstanding example for all student-athletes to follow. He excelled in all three areas and he epitomizes the complete student-athlete better than any other student-athlete in Luther College's rich wrestling history and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him."

Bonander was a four-time NCAA Division III Championship qualifier, twice earning All-America honors at 197 pounds (3rd in 2007, 5th in 2008). In addition, he finished one victory away from All-America honors as a freshman in 2006 and was honored with the top seed at 197 pounds as a senior in 2009. Bonander wrestled in the finals of the Iowa Conference Wrestling Championships three times, falling to Wartburg's T.J. Miller by one-point margins in both 2007 and 2008 before capturing the 2009 title at 197 pounds. He also placed fourth in 2006. A two-year team captain, Bonander also represented the wrestling team on the Luther College student-athlete advisory committee.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was first presented in December 2001 for the 2000-01 academic year. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete shall have graduated or exhausted their athletic eligibility during the academic year for which the award is given. He must have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and achievement in a varsity sport, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and show evidence of scholarly achievements, community service involvement and leadership.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards are named in honor of the late Duane Schroeder, the former Wartburg College sports information director. Schroeder served as Wartburg's SID for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. Upon his retirement from his sports information duties, he was named SID Emeritus and served as Wartburg's News Director until 2001. During much of his four decades at Wartburg, Schroeder served as the IIAC's secretary and treasurer.

Also nominated for the 2008-09 Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year were former Loras College baseball player Nick Olberding (Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman) and former Wartburg College track & field and cross country athlete Brian Chenoweth (Geneseo, Ill./J.D. Darnall).